There was a man from Cyrene walking into the city. The man
was Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Simon was
walking into the city from the fields. The soldiers forced
Simon to carry the cross for Jesus.

-- Mark 15:21 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Jesus told his followers, including those of us who follow him today,
that we needed to pick up our crosses and follow him. While Simon was
forced to physically carry Jesus' cross to Golgotha, he also apparently
picked up the Cross spiritually because his sons, Alexander and Rufus,
are known in the Christian community Mark is addressing. Paul also
seems to know one of the sons, Rufus, and Paul describes him as one
"whom the Lord picked out to be his very own." (Rom. 16:13 NLT) This is
a great reminder that if we want to share our faith with our children,
"carrying the cross" is the powerful example that helps them follow in
our footsteps as we follow in Jesus' steps!

Resurrection of Jesus Christ - Story Summary:
After Jesus was crucified, Joseph of Arimathea had Christ's body placed in his own tomb. A large stone covered the entrance and soldiers guarded the sealed tomb. On the third day, a Sunday, several women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and Salome are all mentioned in the gospel accounts) went to the tomb at dawn to anoint the body of Jesus.

A violent earthquake took place as an angel from heaven rolled back the stone. The guards shook in fear as the angel, dressed in bright white, sat upon the stone. The angel announced to the women that Jesus who was crucified was no longer in the tomb, "He is risen, just as he said." Then he instructed the women to inspect the tomb and see for themselves. Next he told them to go inform the disciples.

With a mixture of fear and joy they ran to obey the angel's command, but suddenly Jesus met them on their way. They fell at his feet and worshiped him. Jesus then said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me."

When the guards reported what had happened to the chief priests, they bribed the soldiers with a large sum of money, telling them to lie and say that the disciples had stolen the body in the night.

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the women near the tomb and later at least twice to the disciples while they were gathered at a house in prayer. He visited two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and he also appeared at the Sea of Galilee while several of the disciples were fishing.

The Appearance of the Risen Jesus Christ to Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus.

Toward evening of that very day in which Jesus Christ resurrected and appeared to Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of James, Peter, and two disciples of Christ from the Seventy, Cleophas and Luke, were going from Jerusalem to a village named Emmaus. Emmaus was situated about seven miles from Jerusalem.

On the road, they were talking to each other about all the things that had recently happened in Jerusalem, about the suffering and death of the Saviour. While they were talking about all that had happened, Jesus Christ Himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. Jesus Christ said to them, "What is this conversation you are holding with each other as you walk, and why are you so sad?"

Cleophas answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem, who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

Jesus Christ said to him, "What things?"

They said to Him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death and crucified Him. We had hoped that He was the One to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body, and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."

Then, Jesus Christ said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?"

And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. The disciples were amazed as everything became clear to them. As they drew near to Emmaus, Jesus Christ appeared to be going further. But they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent." So Jesus Christ went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them. Then, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He vanished out of their sight. This was the fourth appearance of the resurrected Christ. Cleophas and Luke in great joy said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn with joy within us while He talked to us on the road, while He explained to us the Scriptures?" They rose that same hour and despite the late time of day, returned to Jerusalem where they found ten disciples gathered together, all except the Apostle Thomas, and those who were with them. All of them joyfully met Cleophas and Luke and said, "The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon!" Then, Cleophas and Luke told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, how the Lord Himself had walked with them and talked, and how they recognized Him in the breaking of bread.

Excellent Brother Doug!!! I can't imagine the joy they felt when they finally realized that they were in the company of the risen Christ again!!! Thank You for sharing these wonderful teachings with us again, I've missed them terribly!!!

"And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;
I will lead them in paths that they have not known:
I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.
These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them"

(Isaiah 42:16).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Isaiah 42:13-17

The Lord will appear in his power and glory.

He shall cry, in the preaching of his word.

He shall cry aloud in the gospel woes, which must be preached with gospel blessings,

To awaken a sleeping world. He shall conquer by the power of his Spirit.

And those that contradict and blaspheme his gospel,

He shall put to silence and shame; and that which hinders its progress shall be taken out of the way.

To those who by nature were blind, God will show the way to life and happiness by Jesus Christ.

This couldn't be better for me today brother Doug, God has used you once again to deliver what I so needed to hear!!! I'll go to brother Steve's site and check out your page there also, Steve has done a wonderful job there!!! God Bless You for providing these most needed messages!!!